Briefs: Elk Grove motorcyclist dies
An Elk Grove Village motorcyclist injured in a March 24 crash died Monday in Elgin, officials said. William R. Blizek, 65, was westbound on Route 20 at 2:45 p.m. on March 24 at the Villa Street exit when his motorcycle ran off the road and hit a tree, police said.
Woman dies after car crash
An Elgin woman involved in a crash in Streamwood Friday has died. Police said 73-year-old Virginia Retchlag's car spun out of because of rainy and wet conditions and collided with a motorist from Hoffman Estates along Route 59. Retchlag died of her injuries at Elgin's Sherman Hospital Sunday.
Handguns stolen
Ten to 12 handguns were stolen early Sunday morning from Maxon Shooters Supplies at 1226 Rand Road, Des Plaines. Police said a man wielding a sledgehammer and a crowbar was caught on the security videotape around 2:15 a.m. breaking into the shop.
Man robbed at gunpoint
A 25-year-old Wheeling man was robbed at gunpoint around 12:15 a.m. Sunday on the 500 block of North Ridge Avenue in Arlington Heights. According to police reports, the robber came out from behind parkway bushes, pointed a gun and demanded the victim's backpack. The man handed it over and turned away; the robber hit him on the back and side of his head. The victim saw three men running away. The empty backpack was discovered 15 minutes later at Vail Avenue and St. James; a driver's license and other forms of ID were missing.
Firearms case continued
Oakton Community College student Tristan J. Jones, 23, 1927 S. 12th Ave., Maywood, appeared in the Skokie courthouse Monday to face charges of felony aggravated unlawful use of weapons and unlawful use of weapons. After a traffic stop at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, police said they found a semiautomatic handgun loaded with 17 bullets in the magazine inside the locked glove box. According to police reports, Jones possessed a valid firearm owner's ID card. His next court date is May 29.
Council opposes purchase
Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia late Monday broke a tie vote and blocked the purchase of a business in the Five Corners taxing district. The owner of Stock Gears had said the creation of the taxing district made it hard to sell his business, adding the city wants to redevelop the area, anyway, so he wanted to sell it to Des Plaines. The mayor joined 2nd Ward Alderman Marty Moylan, 5th Ward Alderman Carla Brookman, 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten and 7th Ward Alderman Don Smith in opposing the purchase of Stock Gears, 1401 Redeker Road, for $800,000 plus $250,000 in relocation costs. "This sets a bad precedent," Moylan said.
AT&T office picketed
As many as 30 people at a time and an inflatable rat picketed Tuesday outside an AT&T sales office at 44 S. Vail St. in Arlington Heights. According to International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers chief steward Karen Battisfore workers are unhappy with a new review system implemented in 2006 which has resulted in 90 of 230 workers at this location being rated unacceptable, leaving them open to possible dismissal if they don't bring up their ratings. She said that a system that rates that many that poorly is unfair. AT&T spokesman Jerry Lawrence said that employees are entitled to exercise their right to protest, but that the issue being discussed is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between AT&T and the IBEW.
Learn how to quit smoking
The Palatine Board of Health and Northwest Community Hospital will host a smoking cessation forum, "Tools to Help You Quit!" from 7 to 8 tonight at the Palatine village hall council chambers, 200 E. Wood St. For more information, go to palatine.il.us/ pgahc. Before the forum, GlaxoSmithKline will provide free health screenings featuring age progression analysis and lung function tests from 6 to 7 p.m. at village hall. Registration is required; call Health Connection at (847) 618-4968.
Interested in volunteering?
Anyone interested in volunteering at the Hanover Park Community Resource Center can attend an informational meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday. The center's tutoring program can use business professionals who will visit with students one hour a week or anyone willing to help youngsters become better students. Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig and Camcraft Inc. Vice President James O'Donnell will help lead the session, which takes place at the resource center in Living Christ Lutheran Church, 1402 Arlington Drive, Hanover Park. Lunch will be provided. Reserve your spot by calling Alison at (630) 244-9310.